Deborah Giannecchini of California won a $70 million in a
lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson claiming the talc in the company's
baby powder caused her ovarian cancer. She also accused the company of
negligence for providing a warning on the bottle's label. Johnson &
Johnson argues there is no scientific evidence suggesting the product is
dangerous and promised to appeal the verdict. Screen capture/NBC
News/AOL

MODESTO, Calif., Oct. 29 (UPI) --
A woman in California was awarded $70 million in a lawsuit against
Johnson & Johnson claiming the company's baby powder caused her
ovarian cancer.

Deborah Giannecchini, 63, said she had used
Johnson & Johnson for feminine hygiene for 45 years before she was
diagnosed with ovarian cancer, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Giannecchini alleged the talc in the powder
was responsible for her cancer and accused Johnson & Johnson of
negligence for not providing a warning on the product's label.

"It's been a long-fought battle," she told NBC News
after the trial in St. Louis. "I was just elated, so relieved it was
over. I felt like I accomplished something. There were happy tears and
just joy."

Two other jury trials in St. Louis awarded
plaintiffs similar sums of $72 million and $55 million, while two cases
were thrown out in Johnson & Johnson's home state of New Jersey
where a judge determined there was not enough reliable evidence to link
talc to ovarian cancer.

Giannecchini began her lawsuit in 2012 when
her daughter saw an ad offering legal representation for people with
ovarian cancer who had used talcum powder.

In addition to the monetary compensation she
received, Giannecchini said she hoped Johnson & Johnson would more
clearly present the risks associated with using talcum powder.

"I hope that Johnson & Johnson will step
up and take responsibility and post a warning on their product that says
this is not as safe as you may think it is and think about it before
you decide to use this product," she said.

"We deeply sympathize with the women and
families impacted by ovarian cancer," the company said in a statement.
"We will appeal today's verdict because we are guided by the science,
which supports the safety of Johnson's Baby Powder."

The spokesperson added evidence also does not support the addition of a warning label to the product.

"In fact, in 2014, the Food and Drug Administration
concluded in a response to a Citizen's Petition that such warning
labels were not warranted on cosmetic talc products and no regulatory
agency has ever required labeling to reflect a risk of ovarian cancer
associated with talcum powder products," the company said.